Local planting guide · Great Plains
zip 77041
Houston is in USDA hardiness zone 9b, with average winter lows of 25°F to 30°F. The local growing season runs roughly 02/19 through 12/03 (~290 days). This zip falls within the Great Plains growing region.
- USDA zone
- 9b 25°F to 30°F
- Last spring frost
- 02/19
- First fall frost
- 12/03
- Growing season
- 290 days
- Compatible crops
- 37
- Growing region
- Great Plains
Right now in Houston
Week 18 priorities
On the docket: transplant out after last frost · direct sow after last frost. See the full calendar →
Gardening in Houston
Houston's zone 9b climate offers one of the longest growing seasons in the country at 290 days, yet summer heat and humidity create constraints different from other parts of the zone. Winter lows rarely drop below 25 to 30°F, making figs, Asian persimmons, pomegranates, and jujubes reliable perennial choices. The last spring frost arrives February 19, relatively late for the zone, while the first fall frost doesn't settle in until December 3. This long tail of mild weather is an advantage for fall and winter crops like kale, lettuce, and root vegetables. The real gardening challenge is summer. Daytime highs routinely exceed 95°F from June through September, paired with high humidity that promotes fungal diseases. Spring crops intended for temperate climates often bolt or decline by June. Many fruit varieties bred for more moderate summers show heat stress or sunscald. The solution is seasonal shift: grow heat-lovers like figs, peppers, and okra during summer, reserve spring for short-season cool crops, and capitalize on fall for an extended harvest of both cool and warm-season vegetables.
Regional context · Great Plains
What the Great Plains brings to Houston
Continental, windy, with severe heat and cold extremes. Cold-hardy fruit and small grains north; long warm season for melons, peppers, and pecans south.
Common challenges
Issues that most often defeat home gardeners in zone 9b, drawn from the broader USDA zone profile.
- ▸ Heat stress in summer
- ▸ Insufficient chill for most apples
- ▸ Salt spray near coasts
What defeats new gardeners in Houston
Late spring freeze is Houston's paradox. Despite zone 9b's overall mildness, cold snaps in late February and early March arrive after bloom on fig trees, pomegranates, and other early-leafing fruit trees, destroying flowers and reducing yields. The February 19 frost date means tender ornamentals and vegetable transplants set out in early February may face a killing freeze before spring is truly established. High summer humidity drives powdery mildew on fruit trees and creates conditions for root rot in poorly drained soils and heavy clay, common in Houston. The third challenge is water stress combined with heat. Summer thunderstorms are unpredictable; long dry spells with 95°F+ temperatures cause wilting and require consistent irrigation. Drip irrigation and heavy mulch become essential rather than optional.
Crops that grow in Houston
37 crops from our catalog match zone 9b, grouped by type.
Tree fruit
11 crops
zone 9b Fig
Ficus carica
zones 7a–10b
zone 9b Asian Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
zones 7a–10a
zone 9b Pomegranate
Punica granatum
zones 7b–10a
zone 9b Jujube
Ziziphus jujuba
zones 6a–9b
zone 9b Lemon
Citrus limon
zones 9a–11b
zone 9b Orange
Citrus sinensis
zones 9a–11b
zone 9b Lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
zones 9b–11b
zone 9b Grapefruit
Citrus paradisi
zones 9a–11b
Berries
2 crops
Vegetables
18 crops
zone 9b Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
zones 3a–10b
zone 9b Sweet Pepper
Capsicum annuum
zones 4a–10b
zone 9b Hot Pepper
Capsicum species
zones 4a–10b
zone 9b Eggplant
Solanum melongena
zones 5a–10b
zone 9b Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
zones 3a–9b
zone 9b Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
zones 3a–9b
zone 9b Collards
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
zones 4a–9b
zone 9b Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
zones 3b–10a
Herbs
6 crops
Plan the year
Planting calendar for Houston
Year-view of seed starting, transplanting, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvest, and pest-watch windows tuned to Houston's local frost dates.
Week ? · loading
This week in Houston, TX (zone 9b)
Quiet week in Houston, TX (zone 9b). this week is a good time to step back and plan ahead.
Nothing critical on the calendar this week.
187 bars · 37 crops
Calendar logic combines NOAA frost normals with crop-specific timing data. Local microclimate and weather always overrules the calendar; use this as a starting point.
Top pests for zone 9b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for IPM controls and signs to watch for.
Multiple species (Aphididae)
Small soft-bodied sap-sucking insects that reproduce explosively in spring. Excrete honeydew that supports sooty mold and attracts ants. Transmit viral diseases.
Multiple species (Aleyrodidae)
Tiny white moth-like flying insects that feed on plant sap and excrete honeydew. Transmit numerous viral diseases including tomato yellow leaf curl virus.
Meloidogyne species
Microscopic soil-dwelling worm that forms galls on roots, reducing vigor and yield.
Tetranychus urticae
Tiny mite that feeds on leaf undersides, causing stippling and webbing during hot dry weather.
Multiple species (Chrysomelidae)
Tiny black or bronze jumping beetles that put hundreds of small holes in seedling leaves. Most damaging on direct-seeded brassicas and young eggplant.
Odocoileus species
Whitetail and mule deer browse can devastate orchards and gardens, particularly in winter when food is scarce. Antler rub on young trunks kills saplings outright.
Pseudococcidae spp.
Soft white waxy insects that cluster at leaf joints, fruit stems, and root crowns. Honeydew secretion supports sooty mold; root mealybugs cause decline that mimics drought.
Coccoidea spp.
Sap-sucking insects that attach to bark, leaves, and fruit, secreting honeydew that fuels sooty mold. Heavy infestations weaken trees and cause leaf yellowing.
Top diseases for zone 9b
Ranked by how many crops in your zone they affect. Click through for symptoms, controls, and resistant varieties.
Pseudoperonospora cubensis (cucurbits) and others
Water mold (oomycete, not a true fungus) that thrives in cool damp conditions. Spreads rapidly through cucurbit and brassica plantings on wind-borne spores.
Cucumber mosaic virus, Tobacco mosaic virus, and others
Family of plant viruses producing mottled yellow-and-green leaf patterns. Vectored primarily by aphids; some are seed-transmitted or spread by handling tools and tobacco products.
Pythium and Rhizoctonia species
Soil-borne complex of water molds and fungi that kill seedlings before or shortly after emergence. The single most common cause of seed-starting failures.
Fusarium oxysporum
Soil-borne fungal disease that plugs vascular tissue and kills affected plants. Persists in soil for many years; impossible to eliminate once established.
Sclerotium rolfsii
Soil-borne fungal disease most damaging in warm humid Southern conditions. White mycelial fans and small mustard-seed-sized sclerotia at the soil line are diagnostic.
Calcium deficiency physiological disorder
Not a true disease but a calcium-uptake disorder caused by inconsistent soil moisture during fruit development. The dominant cause of damaged first-fruit on home tomato plantings.
Capnodium spp.
Black fungal coating that grows on honeydew secreted by aphids, scale, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Doesn't infect plant tissue directly but blocks photosynthesis and disfigures fruit.
Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV)
Virus vectored by thrips, particularly western flower thrips. Wide host range and growing global distribution. No cure once infected.
Companion planting suggestions
Beneficial pairings drawn from companion data, filtered to crops that grow in zone 9b.
- Fig + Rosemary
Rosemary tolerates the dry sites figs prefer and provides aromatic pest deterrence.
- Tomato + Basil
The classic Italian pairing. Basil's volatile oils are reported to repel hornworms and whiteflies, and the two crops share the same warm-season schedule and water needs. Plant basil between tomato cages.
- Sweet Pepper + Basil
Same warm-season culture, same watering schedule. Basil reportedly improves pepper flavor and repels aphids and thrips that are pepper's primary pests.
- Hot Pepper + Basil
Compatible heat-loving culture, similar water needs. Basil interplanted between hot pepper plants supports beneficial insects and reduces aphid pressure.
- Lettuce + Tomato
Lettuce planted at tomato's base benefits from afternoon shade as the tomato grows, extending the lettuce harvest into early summer. Different root depths avoid competition.
- Cabbage + Onion
Onion smell confuses cabbage moth. Both prefer similar moisture and fertility. The onion-cabbage interplanting is a Northern European tradition.
Soil types reference
Soil texture and pH decide what grows easily on your specific lot. Find the closest match below for crop recommendations and amendment guidance.
Practical tips for Houston
First, succession-plant tomatoes and peppers to sidestep summer heat. Plant in late January or early February, harvest through spring, then pause through summer and plant again in late July or August for a robust fall crop before the December 3 frost date. Heat-tolerant varieties like Phoenix tomatoes outperform standard slicers in midsummer. Second, prune fruit trees and ornamentals for air circulation in humid weather. Crowded branches trap moisture and encourage powdery mildew and fungal infections. A lighter, more open canopy improves disease resistance and fruit quality. Third, extend your growing window by planting cool-season crops in late July and August, targeting a harvest from October through December. Arugula, kale, chard, and brassicas thrive in Houston's mild fall and early winter, with the December 3 frost date providing a final safety window for maturity.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best crops to grow in Houston?
Heat-loving perennials like figs, pomegranates, Asian persimmons, jujubes, and goji berries thrive in zone 9b winters. Tomatoes and peppers work well with heat-tolerant variety selection. The 290-day growing season also allows a robust fall and early winter vegetable patch of kale, lettuce, root vegetables, and brassicas planted in late July or August.
- When should I plant tomatoes in Houston?
Plant transplants in late January or early February, before the February 19 last frost date, for a spring harvest. To avoid summer heat stress, plant again in late July or August for a fall harvest extending through early winter. Heat-tolerant varieties like Phoenix perform better than standard slicing tomatoes in midsummer.
- What's the biggest weather challenge for Houston gardeners?
Summer heat combined with high humidity drives fungal diseases like powdery mildew and root rot, the most common plant losses. Late spring freezes in late February or early March also damage early-blooming fruit trees. Plan pruning to maximize air circulation and choose disease-resistant varieties.
- Can I garden year-round in Houston?
Nearly. The 290-day growing season is one of the longest in the country. However, peak summer heat suppresses spring crops, so true year-round gardening requires succession planting and seasonal crop switching. Spring crops move out, heat-lovers move in, then cool-season crops return in late summer for harvest through December.
- Will my figs and pomegranates survive Houston winters?
Yes. Zone 9b winter lows of 25 to 30°F are mild enough for figs, pomegranates, and Asian persimmons without protection. These crops benefit from Houston's warm growing season and are far more reliable here than in colder zones. Late spring frost on February 19 can damage early blooms, but mature trees recover.
- How do I prevent fungal diseases in Houston's humid climate?
Prune for air circulation so morning dew dries quickly. Use drip irrigation at the soil line rather than overhead watering. Apply mulch to keep soil cooler and reduce splash-up disease. Select disease-resistant varieties when available, especially for powdery mildew-prone crops like tomatoes and squash.
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Frost data: NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00053910. Local microclimates can shift these dates by a week or more.
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